IVWL 13

Selenea wore an expression of complete nonchalance. She shrugged her shoulders.

“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s not like I said anything wrong. Martina really is an orphan. And if you feel disgusted by that, that’s your freedom.”

Rosetine’s face froze in disbelief.

Just a moment ago, she had reached out her hand to Martina with teary eyes… How could she shamelessly say something like that now?

“You… You’re really…”

As she checked Martina’s complexion with a pale face, Selenea strode up and spoke in a low voice.

“And you. You said the same thing to me, didn’t you?”

“W-what are you talking about…?”

“You know… That no one would ever stay by my side, and that I would never be loved in the end?”

Rosetine’s gaze trembled as she met Selenea’s eyes.

But Selenea just muttered as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Think whatever you want.”

Rosetine couldn’t believe her ears.

“What…?”

“Mock me, look down on me, do whatever you want.”

Her voice was eerily calm. Rosetine opened and closed her mouth like a fish, letting out a short sigh of frustration.

Then she furrowed her brows and shouted,

“Stop pretending to be so composed! I know you’re burning up inside!”

Her voice trembled with rising anger.

“Even if you act like you’re winning mentally, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re incompetent! You haven’t even Awakened yet! You’re making one huge mistake right now!!”

But Selenea didn’t even blink.

‘Why is she so calm…!’

Rosetine scowled and trembled all over.

Just then, Selenea, who had been listening quietly, suddenly smiled.

“Is that all?”

Rosetine slowly closed her mouth at the unexpected words.

Selenea took a step closer to her, hummed softly, and murmured,

“Then… I guess it’s my turn to speak now.”

I stared at Rosetine and opened my mouth.

“First… Let me ask you something.”

“…?”

“Why do you think I’m just making up some mental victory?”

Rosetine’s eyes widened slightly. I spoke to her as she opened and closed her mouth blankly.

“By your logic, I’m useless because I’m unawakened, right?”

“Th-that’s obviously…”

“Fine, sure. Then you’re also useless, right? Compared to those with incredible powers, your ability is nothing.”

At my blunt words, Rosetine’s face flushed bright red. Her eyes instantly filled with tears.

“That’s not true! What do you even know!!”

I stared silently at her trembling figure.

“What… Isn’t it more foolish not to know? Abilities are relative. Once you start comparing, there’s no end.”

Tears streamed down Rosetine’s cheeks.

“It’s not… It’s not like that. I’m different from you… I’ve awakened… I have a power…”

I sighed lightly with an expressionless face. The reason she was reacting so sensitively was obvious.

Words like “You’re still lacking,” and “You’re useless.”

‘She must have heard those words all the time from her parents.’

I spoke softly.

“First, get rid of that damned pride.”

Rosetine flinched, her shoulders trembling.

“…What?”

“Aren’t you curious why I’m so calm right now?”

Rosetine closed her mouth. Her large, violet eyes slowly filled with confusion.

“Be honest. You think it’s annoying how I’m acting all composed when I haven’t even Awakened, right?”

Judging by her bright red face, that hit the mark. I looked her straight in the eyes and said,

“I just don’t want to live exhaustingly anymore. That’s why… no matter how much you scream, it doesn’t affect me.”

“…”

“Brooding over it won’t suddenly give me an ability, will it?”

Rosetine’s trembling eyes froze for a moment. I stared at her and swallowed the words I really wanted to say.

‘…So please, pull yourself together.’

This girl was seriously broken inside.

After spending so long under people who weren’t even proper adults, she was mentally worn out.

Just like I was in my past life.

But…

I swallowed a sigh that was rising in my throat and tried to organize my thoughts.

Memories of my past life, ones I didn’t want to recall, were surfacing one by one.

‘Sebin, why are you so useless?’

‘Oh my. Didn’t you even learn the basics?’

‘Tsk, this is why your upbringing matters.’

“I know… Right now, it feels like nothing’s going your way.”

Rosetine lifted her trembling gaze to me. I gave her a faint smile.

“But if you look hard enough… there’s always something.”

I knew because I’d been there.

Because I’d lived like a pushover all my life… and died unfairly.

“You can’t stop others from saying crappy things. But…”

“…”

“You’re free to block your ears and not listen. Ignoring them is your choice.”

At my words, Rosetine froze.

“You… Don’t tell me…”

She trailed off with a grimace.

‘She’s probably wondering if I know her situation.’

After a moment of silence and dozens of hesitations, I finally said it.

“If you keep this up… you’ll die.”

Her eyes grew wide. I averted my gaze and added,

“I mean… if you don’t change, you’ll live like this forever and then die. By then… it’ll be too late for everything.”

“…”

“What do you think will be left then? Your ability? No… just regret.”

‘So please… crawl out of that hell yourself.’

It might seem like I’m being nosy… but this time, I wanted to live well.

My past life was too bitter and unfair… dying after living like a fool.

So I wanted her to avoid her destined future too.

It wasn’t just because of sympathy or shared circumstances from the novel.

Rosetine had a foul temper and a sharp tongue, but she was a person with no one to rely on.

Just like I had been.

For some reason… that fact kept bothering me.

Slowly, I raised my hand.

“…!”

Rosetine froze in place with a shocked expression.

Because I had suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Come with me.”

“L-let go!”

“You’ve got nowhere to go anyway.”

I turned without hesitation and started walking.

Rosetine followed weakly, being dragged along. Martina quickly rushed after us too.

Glancing back at them, I tilted my head and thought,

‘Is it cold today?’

For some reason… Rosetine’s ears were bright red.

Meanwhile, in the office of Duke Tigeris.

Alleon was reviewing documents sent from the ducal castle in his territory.

It had already been quite a long time since he’d stayed at his residence in the capital.

Alleon recalled the words of his vassals who had been urging him.

‘We can’t leave the castle unattended forever without its lord. For the prosperity of the territory, you must return.’

‘It’s been a long time since His Late Majesty passed and you stayed in the capital. The Imperial Family is stable now. No one will question your loyalty anymore.’

With a tired face, Alleon leaned back in his chair.

His vassals weren’t wrong.

As he closed his eyes, memories he had buried began surfacing one by one.

The late emperor, who had died nine years ago, was the first ruler Alleon had sworn loyalty to.

Also… his close friend with whom he could share everything.

But misfortune had struck suddenly.

The once-healthy emperor had started weakening day by day for no clear reason.

His condition worsened rapidly, and after a month…

He died shockingly easily.

Before people could even grieve properly, a new incident arose.

The emperor’s only heir… the crown prince disappeared.

But the prince had been just a child then. And the emperor who could have protected him was already gone.

Perhaps that’s why…

Though no one said it aloud, everyone believed it.

The crown prince wasn’t just missing. He was dead.

The empress, who had lost both her husband and her only son…

Stopped eating altogether.

Naturally, the atmosphere in the palace grew bleak.

The loyalists split into factions, fighting over who would be the next emperor.

The empress… unable to hold herself together…

Wandered around like a living corpse and, within a few weeks… took her own life.

It was a tragedy.

A tragedy whose beginning no one could pinpoint.

Before long, the current emperor, the late emperor’s younger brother, ascended the throne.

It all happened so suddenly, without preparation.

The loyalists began pressuring the new emperor to quickly marry and produce an heir.

And so…

Grace, daughter of the late Duke of Belmart and one of the four grand dukes, became the new empress.

Grace was wise and strong.

Unlike the emperor, who was indecisive and emotional.

She was compassionate yet cold, never afraid to speak harsh truths before big decisions.

Naturally, the people began to admire and love her. The emperor deeply trusted her too.

As time passed, the empire slowly stabilized.

Grace soon became pregnant with the empire’s heir, and the prince born to her was healthy and bright.

While everyone pledged loyalty to the new imperial family…

The people gradually forgot the late emperor, empress, and the missing prince.

As if they had never existed at all.

But Alleon could not forget.

‘…Alleon. You must remember.’

That voice… still sounded clear in his mind.

‘For Selene’s sake… protect her.’

Letting out a shallow breath, Alleon slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was bloodshot red.

Two days later.

I suddenly jumped up from bed.

The morning light streamed brightly through the window.

I climbed out of bed without hesitation and walked straight to the desk, where Anna had left a well-polished mirror.

But the face reflected there still felt unfamiliar.

Platinum blonde hair messily falling over my shoulders.

A small, pale face with a sharp nose.

Clear, intelligent-looking blue eyes.

“…Still, at least it feels more familiar than yesterday.”

Muttering to myself, I quickly tidied the hair falling over my face.

Then hurriedly slipped on the slippers on the floor.

There was no time to even change out of my pajamas.

Flinging the door open, I ran out. The hallway was still empty due to the early hour.

My steps quickened.

‘Today is the day.’

The day I had been desperately waiting for… for the past three days.

Education Day had finally arrived.